Method and apparatus to provide secured surveillance data to authorized entities

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for controlling a surveillance device. A recorder is configured to digitally record detected information. A privacy protection mode is selected as override mode for fully unrestricted capture of surveillance information. Otherwise, a bypass mode is selected for partially unrestricted capture of surveillance information. In bypass mode, captured information is filtered by the type of activity detected and then encrypted for access by an authorized entity. In override mode, an authorization process is used to ensure that the surveillance device remains installed in an approved location.

1 . A method for secure processing of digital information captured by a surveillance device for authorized purposes, comprising: 
 recording digital information captured by a surveillance device, where the digital information is a representation of a visual image or an audio signal;    processing the recorded information according to a privacy mode that inhibits access to the information or alters the information for protection of privacy interests; and    processing the recorded information according to a bypass mode in parallel with the privacy mode, where the bypass mode processing bypasses the processing according to the privacy mode, the bypass mode including encrypting the recorded information and authorizing an authorized entity to have access to the encrypted information in a decrypted format.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processing according to the bypass mode further comprises: 
 storing the encrypted information in an encrypted storage device.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 decrypting the digital information by a decrypting device; and    displaying the decrypted information at a secure monitor accessible only to the authorized entity.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the encrypting comprises embedding a public key into the surveillance device and the decrypting comprises using at least one private key at the decrypting device.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the private key comprises a plurality of keys.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of keys are applied in a tandem manner, such that a first encryption is performed with a first key and the first encryption is subsequently encrypted by a second key to produce a second encryption.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein N keys are applied in a tandem manner, such that an Nth encryption is produced by an Nth key.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the displaying is performed in real time.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the displaying is delayed and the decrypted information is retrieved from the encrypted storage device.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 storing the recorded information in a temporary storage device;    analyzing the stored information of the temporary storage device for an indication of agitated activity captured by the surveillance device; and    selecting information for encrypting that is determined to indicate agitated activity.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the determination of an agitated activity is based on detection of a sudden movement or a sharp increase in sound volume within the sensing range of the surveillance device.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 marking the recorded digital information with a time stamp and a location at which the recording occurs.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining an agitated type of activity recorded by the surveillance device by an automatic process which analyzes the digital information for distinguishable characteristics including at least one of the following: a sudden change in an observed pattern, a movement, a loud sound, and a scream.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performing security processing is triggered by a positive determination that the type of activity recorded is agitated, otherwise the digital information is discarded.  
   
   
       15 . A method for processing information captured by an authorized surveillance device, comprising: 
 capturing image or sound information from a surveillance device;    establishing at least one privacy protection feature in the surveillance device, including disabling a sensing function of the surveillance device;    selecting a mode of privacy protection for the captured information, such that for fully unrestricted capturing, an override mode is selected that disables the privacy protection feature, and for partially restricted capturing, a bypass mode is selected that engages alternative protection of the captured information, including encryption of the information.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the override mode comprises an authorization procedure for installing the surveillance device in a particular location.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the authorization procedure comprises: 
 determining physical coordinates of the installation location for the surveillance device using GPS;    requesting an override mode operation for the surveillance device including at least one of the following: the device's location, a certificate of the surveillance device's public key, a time period during which surveillance will be performed, and a reason why surveillance needs to be performed.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the request further includes an affidavit that the device will be used according to the law and for the purpose of protecting life or property.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the request is submitted to an authorization entity via the internet.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the authorization procedure further comprises: 
 encrypting the request using a public key of the authorization entity.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 submitting the request to the authorization entity using a web site of the authorization entity.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the authorization procedure further comprises: 
 forming a digital approval certificate including an allowed location for installation of the surveillance device and an allowed time period for operation of the surveillance device in override mode    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 signing the approval certificate a private key of the authorization entity; and    encrypting the approval certificate with a public key of the surveillance device.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the approval certificate is encrypted with the captured information such that the certificate is permanently linked to the captured information.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the approval certificate is linked with the captured information by applying a digital watermark to the information such an identification of the certificate is permanently linked to the captured information.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 placing the approval certificate in the surveillance device through a web service reply message, including a unique sequentially incremented number to prevent an attempt to re-enter a signed message.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 confirming the installed location using an embedded detector within the surveillance device;    periodically monitoring the installation position; and    disabling the override mode if the monitoring determines that the surveillance device has been moved form the approved location.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the override mode is disabled if an amount of time has elapsed that is longer than the approved time for performing the surveillance in override mode.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the embedded detector is a GPS receiver.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the embedded detector is a motion sensor.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the override mode is re-enabled if the surveillance device is reinstalled in the approved location.  
   
   
       32 . A surveillance apparatus, comprising: 
 a surveillance device configured to detect information in the form of an image, a sound or a chemical;    a recorder configured to digitally record detected information;    a filtering mechanism configured to filter-in recorded information determined to relate to suspicious activity or filter-out information determined to relate to private activity, or a combination thereof, the filtering mechanism comprising a processor and a storage device;    an encrypting device which encrypts the filtered information; and    an encrypted storage device for storing encrypted information.    
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the filtering mechanism determines private activity to be filtered-out by using an embedded algorithm, code, or pseudo code.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the filtering mechanism determines private activity to be filtered-out by using a software component or application.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 a decrypting device located in a secured location configured to decrypt the encrypted information; and    a monitor located in a secured location for viewing the decrypted information.    
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the decrypting device decrypts information in real time.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the decrypting device decrypts encrypted information stored in the storage device.  
   
   
       38 . A system comprising the apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 a transmitter for transmitting the encrypted information to a remote location;    a remote server for receiving the encrypted information, wherein the remote server includes a remote storage device for storing the encrypted information.    
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the surveillance device is a camera.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the surveillance device is an audio recorder.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the surveillance device is a portal identifier type object interrogator.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the surveillance device is a chemical detection device.